I recently stumbled upon a token that has rather baffled my abilities of numismatic attribution. My hopes are that someone here is able to identify the item in question, or perhaps point me in the right direction.
I will attempt to include a few photographs, however I do not have the equipment to take very useful pictures right now, so I will also include a detailed description.
This token has a diameter of approximately 21.5 mm, and appears to be made of brass. The edge is plain.
Obverse: The obverse bears a portrait of Liberty, facing left, very similar to the depiction used on Braided Hair large cents. Liberty is surrounded by 11 stars. Below Liberty's neck is the legend "SP. MARKE" Denticles are present on the rim.
Reverse: The reverse bears an eagle and shield almost identical to the eagle used on the reverse of Capped Bust coinage. The shield seems to be slightly larger than on the traditional image, and the eagle's mouth is slightly more open, giving it a somewhat more defiant look. It holds three arrows and an olive branch in its claws. The eagle itself seems slightly skinnier, especially noticeable in the eagle's left wing and the lower left of the shield, as compared to the Capped Bust eagle. Above the eagle, stretching from the midway points on both sides of the coin, is the legend "IN UNITATE FORTITUDO" Finally, below the eagle, in much smaller lettering, is "SPIEL MÜNZE."
I have spent a significant amount of time scouring the interwebs for a spiel marke similar to mine, and while I have found very similar devices, I have not yet found one exactly the same. Specifically, I am having trouble locating any pieces with 11 stars. I had thought that perhaps the 11 stars could be in reference to the 11 states of the Confederacy. I suppose then my major question is: does anyone know of any Southern spiel markes or tokens that were created with 11 stars, or has there yet been published an exhaustive (or somewhat extensive) book on spiel markes where I could turn to find more information? I'm sure there has, I just haven't been able to locate it.
P.S. I know my pictures are of extremely poor quality. However, I believe the description I provided should help fill in the gaps missing from my photos. Hopefully I will soon be able to invest in better technology for photographing coins, however right now this is all I have available. If I am able I will post better images at a later time.


